I did not plan on writing a race report for this half-marathon I ran on September 22nd, but since it is part of the prelude to my Chicago marathon, I thought I would share a bit what has happened to me since Boston, last April.

After my marathon PR and my new half-marathon PR two weeks later in May, I injured my heel 5 days later. The pain was so bad that I thought of asking for sick leave at work because I could hardly walk. Crossing streets with in-coming cars was like asking to be killed. I simply could not move myself running, even if for just a short jog. I went to see many doctors and specialists and they all had the same advice for me: stretch the foot and calf, ice, stay off your feet. So I did, for exactly two months. June and July were sad months for me. But you know what? We learn to adapt and I started lifting and cycling instead. I hated every minute of it, but it kept me somewhat sane and I started recognizing the arms and shoulders I used to have before turning into a puny runner with puny arms. So all was not lost. 

August came and I decided that if I were to run Chicago (I was registered, had paid for a hotel, but had not bought my airfare yet), training had to start now. So it was now or never. I stepped on my TM with apprehension, and to my delight, found out that my heel pain was gone. I ran 35 miles that first week, all around 10:00 pace, because honestly, that's all I could do. The temperature had gone from 50F back in May, to 85F in August and having to adjust so suddenly was very difficult for me. I ran outside all of August and worked my way up to a peak of 73 mpw. But to do this, I had to neglect intervals and simply concentrate on mileage, mixed with a couple of weekly tempo runs. My goal was simply to be able to cover 26.2 miles without walking in Chicago, so I figured that that would be my best approach to accomplish this.

Training went relatively well and I decided to sign up for the Ottawa Army Run half-marathon, to help me judge what I could expect in Chicago. I had only been back to training 5 weeks when I ran this HM and the PF was still reminding me of its presence in my right foot, but not enough to prevent me from doing any of my runs. I did skip the strides, because I sensed that hard running would reactivate the pain.

The Ottawa Army Run HM has become one of our most popular races in Canada. From the inaugural 7,000 participants in 2008, it has grown to 22,000 participants this year. The money raised goes to the families of our injured soldiers and also brings awareness to our Canadian Army. A few politicians participate every year in the 5k and also in the half, and I'm proud to say that they don't do too badly. I love this very patriotic race and I intend to do it again many times in the future.

SO and I drove up to Ottawa on Saturday morning, about a 2.5 hour drive from home. I had found a great deal on a room at the Chateau Laurier, one of our most prestigious hotels in Canada. A 1912 architectural masterpiece, named after one of our Prime Ministers of the time. The room was beautiful and of the period and the view was to die for. I took some pictures of the 5k from our window and this is what it looked like:

And here is the interior of the hotel (as you can see, I'm almost more excited about the hotel than I am about the race. )

Here you can see the Chateau Laurier from the side, between buildings.

Okay, back to the race... What can I say? The temperature was ideal. The course was rolling, but no real hills. Simply some "hillish" streets. Definitely not flat, though. I had done a 10 miler about 5 days before race day, with 7 miles at what I felt would be an effort I could carry on 13.1 miles and that was about 7:50 mpm. It seemed pitiful to me after running a 7:19 pace back in May, but this was my new reality and I had to accept it. So I went in the race thinking that a sub-1:45 would be a post-injury victory for me and I ended up with a 1:42:40 finish time. Although I did reach my goal, the result still felt bitter sweet for me. But I realized that there are worse things in life and that I was damn lucky to be back running and training. So I definitely felt grateful. I was also able to take some satisfaction in the fact that this was a course PR for me. I ran the Army Run in 2008 in a time of 1:46 and in 2011 in 1:45. So 1:42:40 is a little course PR, even though it is about 7 minutes away from what I did back in May '13.

My splits:

1- 7:49

2- 7:51

3- 7:38

4- 7:36

5- 7:33

6- 7:42

7- 7:41

8- 7:46

9- 8:00

10- 7:43

11- 7:53

12- 7:45

13- 7:51

.24-  1:48

Average pace: about 7:47 mpm

My awesome shirt and medal:

And my customary picture with my loving SO (yes, I know... SO didn't shave and I wear my skirts too short. We are actually trailer trash who like to mix with royalty, just to peeve them off. )

So in conclusion:

1:42:40

Top 5% age group (23/514)

Top 5% gender (197/4277)

About top 12% overall men and women (1171/8530)

McMillan's equivalent time for the marathon: 3:36:04

To be followed... 

Great job post injury.  I cannot wait to read your Chicago RR!

Awesome RR, even if it is a little late... That hotel is beautiful, I'd be excited to stay in that as well.

And may I just reiterate what Scotty has already said... nice legs

That hotel is mighty sweet. Nice work, especially post I jury

I'm tickled pink to hear that you're back running so well again.

Well done Lily, congratulations!  You're an amazing runner and an inspiration to all.

That is a very respectable comeback in just 5 weeks back to running, Julie! And, of course, you looked lovely and found beauty all around you. The hotel and area are gorgeous!

Now, let's see a Chicago report, young lady! This was a terrible way to tease us!

hey hey hey!  Congrats on your comeback, still rocking the camo longsleeve as usual!  sweet report and great pics!

yep Ottawa is a nice place to visit, love this race too.  Did they change the course again?   Ran it twice, 2009 and 2010, first time flat along the Rideau Canal, second time a bit hilly around Rockcliffe.  Perfect weather both times.  I see you now get a double dog tag just like the real thing.

should run it again, sounds like fun